Switch



c. R; RQICH Dec. 13, 1932.

SWITCH Filed May 29, '1931 INVENTOR. Claude 7? 71 /01 ATTORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 13,1932

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLAUDE R. RICH, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOB TO TEESIJALE MANUFAC- TUBING- COMPANY, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN SWITCH Application filed May 20,

The present invention relates to switches and more particularly to thermally controlled electric switches.

The main objects of the invention are to provide a quick acting or snap switch of the character above indicated; to provide a snap switch automatically operable by an electrical overload; and, to provide means manually operable for closing the circuit after it is broken.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a' side elevational view of the snap switch; 7

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereoit' showing the switch with its circuit making and breaking points in closed position;

Figure 3 is'a similar view showing the contact points in open position;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the switch showing means whereby the points are further separated when the switch is manually prematurely operated; and

Figure 5 is an end elevational view of the snap switch.

Referring to the drawing in which like parts are designated by the same numerals in the several views, a switch base plate 1, preferably of suitable non-electrical conducting material, has a pair of terminal connections 2, 3 of conventional type for the electric lead wires 4, 5.

A pair of circuit making and breaking members 6, 7 here shown as elongated and preferably flexible, each has a circuit male ing and breaking contact point 8, 9 respectively suitably secured as by rivets 10, the.

member 6 being preferably provided with a curved or cammed end 11. The member 7 is 'thermally responsively flexible and preferably formed from ordinary superimposed bimetallic sheet metal.

A manually operable member 12 here shown as a lever pivotally secured to the base has a cammed head 13 adapted to contact the curved or cammed end 11 of the member 6 when manually operated as shown in Figure 4:. A coil spring 14 secured to the lever and to the pivot screw 15 causes the lever to 1931. Serial No. 538,637.

break the circuit as indicatedin Figure 3.

IVhen the member 7 sufficiently cools, the lever may be manually shifted to permit the points to again contact each other to again close the circuit.- If, however, it is attempted to manually close the circuit before the member 7 is sufliciently cooled, movement of the lever to the position shown in Figure 4, causes the points to be further separated.

It will thus be seen that'a thermally controlled snap switch is herein shown and described which is quickly operated by an electrical overload for breaking the circuit and that manually operable means for again closing the circuit causes the circuit making points to be further separated when it is attempted to prematurely close the circuit.

While but one specific embodiment of this invention has been herein shown and described, it will be understood that numerous details of the construction shown may be altered or omitted Without departing from the spirit of this invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. In an electric switch, a pair of circuit makingand breaking members, one of said members being thermally responsively flexible for breaking the circuit, and a manually operable member for closing the circuit, said manually operable member when operated prematurely being so arranged that the circuit making and breaking contact points are further separated by a movement of said member beyond its normal movement for closing the circuit.

2. In an electric switch, a pair of flexible circuit making and breaking members, one of said members being thermally responsively flexible, and a manually operable member for closing the circuit, said manually operable member having a portion adapted to contact one of said circuit making and breaking members to further separate the contact points when said manually operable member is prematurely operated by a movement of said member beyond its normal movement for closing the circuit.

3. In an electric switch, a pair of circuit making and breaking members, one of said members being thermally responsively flexible for breaking the circuit, and a spring operated member for retaining the contact points in open position and manually operable to close the circuit, said manually operable member having a portion adapted to contact one of said circuit making and breaking members to further separate the contact points when said manually operable member is prematurely operated by a movement of said member beyond its normal movement for closing the circuit.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand at Grand Rapids, Michigan, this 15th day of May, 1931.

- CLAUDE R. RICH. 

